A fine netsuke of the sleeping Shojo

Description:

Japan, signed, 19th cent.
L. 4,2 cm
A fine netsuke made of cherry wood (sakura) depicting a shojo lying in a deep sleep after drinking a considerable amount of sake. Her head rests on her upturned hand, which is embedded in her robe, and her facial expression conveys very well her fatigue after drinking so much. Her knees are bent towards her body and her robe is carved with tiny details showing brocade and cloud patterns. One of her distinguishing features is her full long hair, which was crimson red and supposedly contained a coveted dye. Here it is finely carved, flowing down her back to the underside. The underside with asymmetrical himotoshi, signed.
From an old German private collection, assembled in China and Japan between 1900 and 1920 - Minim. traces of wear, good condition